BREWING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING AND TREATING A WORT IN BEER BREWING OR IN THE BEVERAGE INDUSTRY, AND CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The invention relates to a brewing plant for continuously or discontinuously obtaining and treating a wort in the beer brewery or beverage industry; wherein the wort derived based on a surface filtration, is obtained continuously or discontinuously. In a second device the wort obtained as such, is set to a first temperature between 0 and 86 C. after completing of the thermal treatment of the wort; and an enzyme-containing substrate is added by means of an apparatus. Therein, the first apparatus for setting the temperature of the wort to a first temperature is arranged downstream to an apparatus for keeping hot or boiling of the wort. The apparatus is arranged downstream to the first apparatus for setting the temperature of the wort to the first temperature. Moreover, a corresponding method and corresponding uses are suggested.

Claims

1. A brewing plant for continuously or discontinuously obtaining and treating a wort in the beer brewery or beverage industry; wherein the wort contains at least one wort which is selected from a group, at least consisting of a first wort, a second wort, a third wort, and a fourth wort, the brewing plant comprising: at least one first lauter device for continuously or discontinuously obtaining a first wort from a mash, at least comprising: a first receiving unit for receiving the mash; at least one first separating device each having a first surface; wherein the first surface has a plurality or multiplicity of openings; wherein the first lauter device is preferably suitable for continuously or discontinuously separating the mash into the first wort and a first residual phase by means of the first surface of the first separating device; wherein the first surface or a part thereof can be brought into contact with the mash, if the mash is present in the first receiving unit for separation into the first wort and the first residual phase; wherein, during the operation of the first lauter device, the first surface is arranged such that it is movable or can be moved or can be rotated relative to the mash received in the first receiving unit, to the first residual phase and/or to the first receiving unit; wherein the brewing plant further comprises a second device, wherein the second device comprises: a first apparatus for setting the temperature, in particular for cooling, of the wort to a first temperature between 0 and 85 C. after completing of keeping hot or boiling of the wort; and an apparatus for adding at least one portion of an enzyme-containing substrate, preferably at least one portion of a mash and/or at least one portion of at least one mash extract and/or one portion containing an enzyme-containing wort which has not been heated to more than 80 C., preferably one portion of a first wort (first run), preferably of the first wort, to the wort obtained after setting, in particular cooling to, the first temperature; wherein the first apparatus for setting the temperature, in particular for cooling, of the wort is arranged downstream to an apparatus for keeping hot or boiling of the wort; and wherein the apparatus is arranged downstream to the first apparatus for setting the temperature, in particular for cooling, of the wort to the first temperature.

2. The brewing plant according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus for adding of the at least one portion of an enzyme-containing substrate is arranged upstream or downstream with respect to or in the area of an apparatus for at least partially clarifying the wort.

3. The brewing plant according to claim 1, wherein the brewing plant further comprises at least one isomerization apparatus for isomerizing of isomerizable hop components in an isomerization substrate, comprising: a container for receiving the isomerization substrate or a mixture containing the isomerization substrate; wherein the container has an inlet opening for introducing the isomerization substrate or the mixture into the container; wherein the inlet opening is in fluid connection with at least one of the first lauter device, a second lauter device, a third lauter device, and a fourth lauter device; wherein the container has an outlet opening for withdrawing the isomerization substrate or the mixture from the container; wherein the outlet opening is in fluid connection with a vessel which carries beer or wort; wherein the vessel which carries beer or wort is preferably arranged downstream to the apparatus for at least partially clarifying the wort, with respect to the wort flow; an outlet vent for discharging of steam or mist of the isomerization substrate or of the mixture from the container; and preferably an apparatus for setting the temperature of the mixture; wherein the container is a container which is separate to the apparatus for thermally treating the wort produced in the brewing plant; wherein the container preferably has an effective volume of 60% or less, preferably 50% or less, and particularly 40% or less, of the effective volume, preferably of a kettle-full volume, of the apparatus for thermally treating the wort produced in the brewing plant.

4. The brewing plant according to claim 1, wherein the brewing plant further comprises at least one clarification device for at least partially separating solids from the wort, preferably from a cast wort, wherein the wort has a temperature of at least 50 C., wherein the clarification device has a container for receiving the wort, wherein the container is arranged with respect to the flow of the wort preferably downstream to the apparatus for keeping hot or boiling of the wort and preferably downstream to the apparatus for adding the at least one portion of the enzyme-containing substrate; and wherein the container is arranged with respect to the flow of the wort preferably upstream to a second apparatus for cooling the wort; and wherein the container has at least one inlet opening for introducing the wort into the container; and wherein the container has at least one outlet opening for withdrawing the wort from the container; wherein the clarification device has a cooling apparatus; wherein the cooling apparatus is suitable, preferably arranged such in the brewing plant, to cool the wort or only the wort, which is present in an upper or lower half of the container, preferably in an upper or lower third of the container, or a partial volume thereof.

5. A method for continuously or discontinuously obtaining and treating a wort in the beer brewery or beverage industry; when the wort contains at least one wort which is selected from a group, at least consisting of a first wort, a second wort, a third wort, and a fourth wort; wherein the method comprises a first partial method for obtaining the wort from a mash, at least having the steps: (1a) continuously or discontinuously supplying the mash to a first receiving unit of a first lauter device, preferably the first lauter device as defined in claim 1; (1b) continuously or discontinuously separating the mash in the first lauter device by means of at least one first separating device into a first wort and a first residual mash; wherein the mash is brought in contact with a first surface of the at least one separating device; wherein a filtrate or permeate is the first wort and a filter residual or retentate is the first residual mash; wherein during the separating of the mash into the first wort and the first residual mash, the first surface moves relatively to the mash, to the first residual mash, and/or to the first receiving unit; or wherein during the separating of the mash into the first wort and the first residual mash, the first surface rotates around a first axis or first middle axis of the first separating device; and wherein during the entire duration of the separating of the mash the relative movement or rotational movement of the first surface is effected in an uninterrupted or intermittent manner, in particular at regular time intervals; wherein the first wort preferably has a content of solid matter of at least 300 mg/L, preferably at least 500 mg/L, preferably at least 1,000 mg/L, in particular at least 2,000 mg/L; wherein the method further includes a second partial method for treating the wort obtained in the first partial method, at least comprising the steps: (2a) after a thermal treatment, preferably keeping hot or boiling, of the wort obtained in the first partial method, setting the temperature, in particular cooling, of the wort to a first temperature between 0 and 85 C., preferably between 0 and 80 C., preferably between 70 and 85 C., preferably between 72 and 83 C., preferably between 80 and 85 C., preferably between 80 and 82 C., preferably between 72 and 78 C., preferably between 40 and 55 C., preferably between 45 and 50 C.; and (2b) adding of at least one portion of an enzyme-containing substrate, preferably of at least one portion of a mash and/or at least one portion of a mash extract and/or a portion containing an enzyme-containing wort which has been heated to not more than 80 C., preferably not more than 78 C., preferably not more than 76 C., preferably not more than 74 C., preferably not more than 72 C., preferably not more than 70 C., preferably not more than 68 C., in particular not more than 66 C., in particular a portion of a first wort (first run), preferably of the first wort, or preferably of a mixture of at least two of the portion of a mash, the portion of a mash extract, and the portion containing an enzyme-containing wort, to the wort; wherein the wort has the first temperature or lower at the time of adding; and wherein the second partial method is preferably carried out by using the second device.

6. A method for continuously or discontinuously obtaining and treating a wort in the beer brewery or beverage industry; when the wort contains at least one wort which is selected from a group, at least consisting of a first wort, a second wort, a third wort, and a fourth wort; wherein the method comprises a first partial method for obtaining the wort from a mash, at least having the steps: (1a) continuously or discontinuously supplying the mash to a first receiving unit of a first lauter device; (1b) continuously or discontinuously separating the mash in the first lauter device by separating or filtrating the mash by means of at least one separating device, preferably of a first surface of the first separating device, into a first wort and a first residual mash; wherein the filtrate or permeate is the first wort and the filter residual or retentate is the first residual mash; wherein the separation is driven by hydrostatic pressure of the mash and/or by another pressure acting on the mash and/or by a negative pressure acting on the first residual mash; wherein during separating of the mash into the first wort and the first residual mash, a first surface of the first separating device moves relatively to the mash being present in the first lauter device, to the first residual mash being present in the first lauter device and/or to the first receiving unit; or wherein during separating of the mash, the first surface rotates around a first axis or first middle axis of the first separating device; and wherein during the entire duration of the separation of the mash the relative movement or rotational movement of the first surface is effected in an uninterrupted or intermittent manner, in particular at regular time intervals; wherein the first wort preferably has a content of solid matter of at least 300 mg/L, preferably at least 500 mg/L, preferably at least 1,000 mg/L, in particular at least 2,000 mg/L; wherein the method further includes a second partial method for treating the wort obtained in the first partial method, at least comprising the steps: (2a) after a thermal treatment, preferably keeping hot or boiling, of the wort obtained in the first partial method, setting the temperature, in particular cooling, of the wort to a first temperature between 0 and 85 C., preferably between 0 and 80 C., preferably between 70 and 85 C., preferably between 72 and 83 C., preferably between 80 and 85 C., preferably between 80 and 82 C., preferably between 72 and 78 C., preferably between 40 and 55 C., preferably between 45 and 50 C.; and (2b) adding of at least one portion of an enzyme-containing substrate, preferably of at least one portion of a mash and/or at least one portion of a mash extract and/or a portion containing an enzyme-containing wort which has been heated to not more than 80 C., preferably not more than 78 C., preferably not more than 76 C., preferably not more than 74 C., preferably not more than 72 C., preferably not more than 70 C., preferably not more than 68 C., in particular not more than 66 C., in particular a portion of a first wort (first run), preferably of the first wort, or preferably of a mixture of at least two of the portion, the portion, and the portion, to the wort; and wherein the wort has the first temperature at most at the time of adding.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first partial method further comprises the steps of: (1c) mixing of water or a diluted wort, preferably the third wort, with the first residual mash obtained at the separation according to step (1b), in a predefined volumetric flow ratio, whereby a first mixture is obtained; (1d) prior to step (1c): continuous or discontinuous supplying the first residual mash to a second receiving unit of a second lauter device; (1e) after step (1c): continuous or discontinuous supplying the first mixture to the second receiving unit of the second lauter device; wherein the second lauter device preferably has a shape which is identical to the first lauter device, as is dcfincd in claim 1; (1f) continuous or discontinuous separating of the thus obtained first mixture into a second wort and a second residual mash by means of an at least one second separating device or by means of separating or filtrating the first mixture by use of a second surface of the second separating device in the second lauter device; wherein the filtrate or permeate is the second wort and the filter residual or the retentate is the second residual mash; wherein the separation is driven by the hydrostatic pressure of the first mixture and/or another pressure acting upon the first mixture and/or a negative pressure acting upon a second residual phase; wherein, during the separation of the first mixture into the second wort and the second residual phase, the second surface moves relative to the first mixture present in the second lauter device, to the second residual phase present in the second lauter device and/or to the second receiving unit, or during the separation of the first mixture into the second wort and the second residual phase, the second surface rotates about a second axis or second middle axis of the second separating device; and wherein the relative movement or the rotational movement of the second surface is effected in an uninterrupted or intermittent manner, preferably at regular time intervals, during the entire period of separation of the first mixture.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second partial method further comprises the step: (2c) at least partially clarifying of the wort, wherein the adding according to step (2b) is carried out preferably prior to the at least partially of clarifying the wort.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second partial method further comprises the step: (2f) after adding according to step (2b) and allowing a predetermined duration of time to lapse: heating the wort to a third temperature between 82 and 99 C., preferably between 82 and 95 C., preferably between 82 and 90 C., particular between 82 and 85 C.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises a third partial method for hopping of the wort or of a beer or beverage obtained thereof or of a precursor thereof; wherein the third partial method at least comprises the steps: (3a) providing an isomerization substrate containing a wort or consisting of a wort, in particular a post run or a last run, wherein the wort preferably has an extract content in the range from 0.2 to 8 P, preferably from 0.5 to 5 P, wherein the isomerization substrate preferably has a content of coarse particles having particles sizes of 40 to 400 m of more than 100 mg/L, preferably of more than 200 mg/L, preferably of more than 400 mg/L; (3b) heating of the isomerization substrate to a temperature between 80 and 105 C., preferably 93 to 98 C.; (3c) mixing the isomerization substrate with a hop substrate, thereby obtaining a mixture; wherein the hop substrate contains at least one isomerizable hop component, preferably at least one acid; (3d) setting the temperature of the resulting mixture to a temperature within a range between 80 and 105 C., preferably between 93 and 100 C.; wherein the temperature range preferably includes the temperatures from 15 C. below to 2 C., preferably from 15 C. below to 5 C., below a maximum temperature attained by the wort during the thermal treatment of the same in a beer manufacturing method which includes the method, preferably the third partial method; and maintaining the temperature of the resulting mixture within the range for a predetermined period of time; wherein the period of time is preferably by 20 to 50 minutes longer, preferably by 20 to 45 minutes longer, than a period of time of the thermal treatment of the wort in the beer manufacturing process (expressed as a formula: tI=tK+(20 to 50 min)=(tk+20 min) to (tK+50 min); and (3e) preferably at least partly separating of solid components from the mixture obtained in step (3d); and (3f) mixing of the mixture obtained in step (3c) or (3d) or (3e), with the wort, which is obtained preferably according to the second partial method, or with a beer or beverage resulting from the wort, or with a precursor thereof; wherein prior to the mixing of the mixture with the wort, the wort was thermally treated separately from the mixture for at least 30 minutes, wherein the wort was exposed to the temperature as the maximum temperature; and preferably, the solid components of the wort, preferably hot trub, had been removed to at least 80%, preferably to at least 90%, from the wort after heating of the wort and prior to mixing with the mixture.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises a third partial method for hopping of the wort or of a beer or of a beverage obtained thereof or of a precursor thereof; wherein the third partial method at least comprises the steps: (3a) providing an isomerization substrate containing a wort or consisting of a wort, wherein the wort preferably has an extract content in the range from 0.2 to 8 P, preferably from 0.5 to 5 P, wherein the isomerization substrate has an extract content in the range from 0.2 to 8 P, preferably from 0.5 to 5 P, wherein the isomerization substrate preferably has a content of coarse particles having particle sizes of 40 to 400 m of more than 100 mg/L, preferably of more than 200 mg/L, preferably of more than 400 mg/L; (3b) mixing of the isomerization substrate with a hop substrate, thereby obtaining a mixture; wherein the hop substrate contains at least one isomerizable hop component, preferably at least one acid; (3c) setting the temperature of the resulting mixture to a temperature within the range of 80 to 105 C., preferably 93 to 100 C.; wherein the temperature range preferably includes the temperatures from 15 C. below to 2 C., preferably from 15 C. below to 5 C., below a maximum temperature attained by the wort during the thermal treatment of the same in a beer manufacturing method which includes the method, preferably the third partial method; and (3d) maintaining the temperature of the resulting mixture within the range for a predetermined period of time; wherein the period of time is preferably by 20 to 50 minutes longer, preferably by 20 to 45 minutes longer, than a period of time of the thermal treatment of the wort in the beer manufacturing process (expressed as a formula: tI=tK+(20 to 50 min)=(tk+20 min) to (tK+50 min); and (3e) preferably at least partly separating solid components from the mixture obtained in step (3d); and (3f) mixing of the mixture obtained in step (3b) or (3c) or (3d) or (3e) with the wort, which is obtained preferably according to the second partial method, or with a beer or beverage resulting from the wort, or with a precursor thereof; wherein prior to the mixing of the mixture with the wort, the wort was thermally treated separately from the mixture for at least 30 minutes, wherein the wort was exposed to the temperature as the maximum temperature; and preferably, the solid components of the wort, preferably hot trub, had been removed to at least 80%, preferably to at least 90%, from the wort, after heating of the wort and prior to mixing with the mixture.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further includes a fourth partial method for at least partially clarifying the wort, preferably of a cast wort; wherein the fourth partial method at least includes the steps: (4a) introducing the wort to be clarified in a container for receiving the wort through at least one inlet opening; wherein the wort flowing into the container has a temperature of at least 50 C.; (4b) allowing the wort to rest in the container for a predetermined period of time, wherein the solid matter contained in the wort sediments at least partly; (4c) withdrawing the resulting, clarified wort from the container through at least one outlet opening; and wherein during the step (4b), the wort being present in the container or a partial volume thereof is cooled in the area of an upper or lower half of the container, preferably in the area of an upper or lower third of the container.

13. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method has a fifth partial method for treating a wort containing solid matter and preferably, for hopping of a wort; wherein fifth partial method at least comprises the steps: (5a) providing the wort, preferably the wort according to the first partial method; and (5b) mixing of the wort with an additive, thereby obtaining a wort containing the additive, preferably prior to step (2a) or prior to or during step (2d) according to the second partial method; wherein the additive contains at least one material, selected from a group, consisting of a hop trub, a hot trub, a cold trub, a kieselguhr, a silica gel, a PVPP, a bentonite, rice bowls, cereal bowls, wood chips, activated carbon, natural hops, hop pellets, and solid components of natural hops or of hop pellets.

14. The use of a brewing plant according to claim 1 in the beer brewery or beverage industry for continuously or discontinuously obtaining a wort from a mash and for continuously or discontinuously treating the wort; or for manufacturing of a beer or another alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage, preferably of a beverage based on wort, or a beer-mixed beverage, or a precursor thereof.

15. Use of an enzyme-containing substrate, preferably at least one portion of a mash and/or at least one portion of at least one mash extract and/or one portion containing an enzyme-containing wort which has not been heated to more than 80 C., preferably one portion of a first wort (first run), preferably of the first wort, for treating a wort; wherein the wort has a content of solid matter of at least 300 mg/L, preferably at least 500 g/L, preferably at least 1,000 mg/L, in particular at least 2,000 mg/L; and/or wherein the wort is obtained by means of surface filtration.

16. (canceled)

Description

[0511] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the drawing. Thus, it is shown:

[0512] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a first embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention;

[0513] FIG. 2 a schematic view of a second embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention;

[0514] FIG. 3 a schematic view of a third embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention; and

[0515] FIG. 4 a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention.

[0516] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the brewing plant OM for obtaining and treating of a wort in the beer brewery or in the beverage industry. The brewing plant OM according to this embodiment has a lauter device LV, consisting of a first lauter device LV1, a second lauter device LV2, a third lauter device LV3, and a fourth lauter device LV4, which are arranged serially. However, the invention is not limited to this, but may contain only one or 2 or 3 or more lauter devices. If two or more lauter devices are provided, they can be combined or arranged in parallel, serially or in parallel and serially with respect to the flow path of the mash or wort. The lauter device LV is arranged downstream to a mill TX and a mash device CO, both of which are not part of the brewing plant OM, but may be part of the brewing plant OM. Moreover, the lauter device LV is arranged upstream to a device WP for keeping hot or boiling the wort WO, which is also not part of the brewing plant OM, but may be.

[0517] The brewing plant OM according to this embodiment further has a second device V2. The second device V2 has a first device WK1 for setting the temperature of the wort WO to a first temperature T1 between 0 and 85 C. The first device WK1 is arranged downstream to the device WP for keeping hot or boiling of the wort WO. Moreover, the second device V2 has a device AD for adding at least one portion PES of an enzyme-containing substrate ES. The device AD is arranged downstream to the first device WK1.

[0518] The brewing plant OM may have an apparatus WH for at least partly clarifying the wort WO, preferably a whirlpool or a decanter or a sedimentation tub or a sedimentation tank. The clarification apparatus WH is arranged preferably downstream to the device AD and upstream to a second device WK2 for cooling of the wort WO treated in the apparatus WH to a second temperature T2, preferably the pitching temperature.

[0519] Moreover, the brewing plant OM may have a device SP for withdrawing and/or storing of the at least one portion PES of an enzyme-containing substrate ES.

[0520] According to the invention, the mash can be produced with any arbitrary method. This includes a broad variation of the raw materials including adjuncts and malts having a low solubilisation. With respect to the process engineering all conventional mash methods including short mash method and/or mash methods being characterized by a low final mash temperature of 65 C. or below may be applied according to the invention. According to the invention, the mash separation is carried out in the lauter device LV which is implemented as the first to the fourth lauter device LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4 in this embodiment. A rotational movement of the respective separating device of each of the lauter devices LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4 is indicated in the figure. A detailed description of possible designs of the respective lauter devices as well as the serial arrangement of four of these lauter devices is described for example, in the German patent application DE 10 2014 116 308, published as DE 10 2014 116 308 A1 (cf. pages 4 to 22 and 56 to 67 of the application and the FIGS. 1 to 4 and pages 75 to 77 of the application), which is incorporated hereby in its entirety.

[0521] The mash is separated in the first lauter device LV1 into a first wort WO1 and a first residual mash RM1. To the latter, an extracting agent, preferably water or a diluted wort, is added to result in a first mixture MX1 which is transferred to the second lauter device LV2, where the first mixture MX1 is separated into a second wort WO2 and a second residual mash RM2. To the second residual mash RM2 an extracting agent, preferably water or a diluted wort, is added to result in a second mixture MX2 which is transferred to the third lauter device LV3, where it is separated into a third wort WO3 and a third residual mash RM3. To the third residual mash RM3 an extracting agent, preferably water or a diluted wort, is added to result in a third mixture MX3 which is transferred to the fourth lauter device LV4, where it is separated into a fourth wort WO4 and a fourth residual mash RM4. The fourth residual mash RM4 is abolished as spending grains or is made use of in another way. The addition of the extracting agent to the respective residual mash RM1, RM2, RM3, for example between two or within one of the lauter devices LV1, LV2, LV3, LV4 is omitted in the figure for the sake of clarity.

[0522] The extract contents and the turbidities of the first to the fourth wort WO1, WO2, WO3, WO4 decrease in the order WO1, WO2, WO3, WO4, wherein the first wort WO1 refers to a first wort (first run), the second wort WO2 and maybe also the third wort WO3 refer(s) to a post run, and the fourth wort WO4 refer to a last run. In contrast, the pH values of the worts increase in this order. Namely, in a trial, the first wort WO1 had an extract content of 13.4 P and a pH value of 5.9, the second wort WO2 had an extract content of 3.6 P and a pH value of 6.7, the third wort WO3 had an extract content of 1.1 P and a pH value of 7.2, and the fourth wort WO4 had an extract content of 0.6 P and a pH value of 7.5.

[0523] Within this embodiment, a partial volume of the first wort WO1 and of the second wort WO2 or a mixture of the same is withdrawn and is used as a portion PES of the enzyme-containing substrate ES, as described herein below. This portion PES for example, makes 2.5 percent by volume of the kettle-full volume of the wort WO of this brew. When doing so, it is ensured that the temperature of the portion PES and of the first wort WO1 and/or of the second wort WO2, from which the portion PES is obtained, does not exceed preferably 76 C., in order not to inactivate or substantially not to inactivate the enzymes contained therein. The portion PES is withdrawn by the device SP and stored therein.

[0524] The residual first to fourth worts WO1, WO2, WO3, WO4 are exposed as a mixture (=wort WO) to a thermal treatment, preferably keeping or boiling, in the device WP. During this treatment, which may relate to the conventional wort boiling, additionally, the wort WO can be hopped according to any known method. The cast wort WO resulting after completion of the thermal treatment is cooled to a first temperature TK1 between 0 and 85 C., for example, 74 C., in the first device WK1. Therein, the first temperature T1 is set such that the activity of at least one enzyme is still maintained, depending on the effect to be achieved. By means of the device AD the previously obtained portion PES of the enzyme containing substrate ES is added to the wort WO which had been cooled as described above in a volume portion of approximately 2 to 2.5%. Since the temperature of the wort WO to which the enzyme containing substrate ES was added, is in a temperature optimum range of at least one enzyme, this enzyme may continue its activity in the following clarifications step, that is, when separating hot trub in the whirlpool, so that the time of the whirlpool step may be used for the enzyme activity in an advantageous way. To do so, the wort WO is supplied to the clarification apparatus WH, which may be designed as a conventional whirlpool, and the hot trub may is separated to a great extent.

[0525] After withdrawing the wort WO from the clarification apparatus WH the wort is cooled to the second temperature T2, preferably to the pitching temperature at 8 C., by means of the second device WK2, and is then further processed to beer in a conventional manner. This includes the steps of the aeration of the wort WO, yeast pitching and fermentation of the wort WO.

[0526] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention. The brewing plant OM and the method according to this embodiment are based on the same principle as the first embodiment, so that herein below only differences to the first embodiment as described above are discussed.

[0527] Thus, the brewing plant OM according to this embodiment additionally has an isomerization device IV for isomerizing of isomerizable hop components in an isomerization substrate IS. The isomerization device IV includes a container IB which preferably has the shape of a cylindro-conus. The inlet opening EIB of the container IB is in connection with the lauter device LV, in particular with the third lauter device LV3 and/or the fourth lauter device LV4. In context with the isomerization device IV a heat exchanger IU may advantageously be provided which is suitable to temper, preferably to heat, the isomerization substrate IS or the mixture IG while it is contained in the container IB or on the way to the container IB. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger IU is arranged in the pipe between the lauter device LV, more precisely between the third lauter device LV3 and/or the fourth quarter device LV4, and the container IB.

[0528] With the third partial method TV3 according to the invention, the third wort WO3 or the fourth wort WO4 or a mixture of the same is introduced as the isomerization substrate IS while being heated to a temperature of approximately 96 C. to the inlet opening EIB into the container IB. The third wort WO3 and in particular, the fourth wort WO4 are characterized by a lower extract and solid matter content (for example, less than 8 P, less than 800 mg/L) compared to the first and the second wort WO1, WO2. The isomerization substrate IS tempered in this way has volume of approximately 30% of the kettle-full volume of the wort WO of the same brew, and is mixed with a hop substrate IH, for instance natural hops, hop pellets or hop extract, in a desired amount wherein a mixture IG is obtained. Preferably, the mixture IG is homogenized and the temperature, if required, is set to a temperature between 85 and 98 C., preferably 93 to 97 C., if the maximum temperature TMAX of the thermal treatment of the main batch of the wort WO is 100 C. The mixture IG is maintained at a temperature within the range mentioned before for a predetermined period of time tI, in which a thermal turnover of the hop components, in particular the isomerization of the a acids, takes place and is completed to a great extent. Since the thermal treatment of the mixture IG takes place separately and in parallel to the thermal treatment of the main batch of the wort WO, the period of time tI may optimally be selected, e.g., may be set depending on the progress of the isomerization. For example, with a boiling time of the wort of 60 Minutes, the period of time tI for the isomerization of the mixture IG may be selected to be for example, 80 to 100 minutes.

[0529] After this thermal treatment of the mixture IG preferably the solid matter thereof is removed, for example by sedimentation, and the clarified mixture IG is added to the wort WO downstream to the clarification apparatus WH and upstream to the second device WK2, for example, a plate heat exchanger.

[0530] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention. The brewing plant OM and the method according to this embodiment are based on the same principle as the first embodiment, so that herein below only differences to the first embodiment as described above are discussed.

[0531] Thus, the brewing plant OM according to this embodiment, further comprises a clarification device KV for at least partially separating solid matter from the wort WO. The clarification device KV has a container KVB for receiving the wort WO, wherein the container KVB is arranged with respect to the flow of the wort WO preferably downstream to the apparatus WP for thermal treating of the wort WO and downstream to the apparatus AD for adding the portion PES of the enzyme-containing substrate ES, and upstream to the second apparatus WK2 for cooling the wort WO. In contrast to the conventional whirlpool, the clarification device KV has a cooling apparatus KVK, which is arranged such in the brewing plant OM, to cool the wort WO which is present in the upper half of the container KVB, preferably in the upper third of the container KVB, or a partial volume thereof. The cooling apparatus KVK may be formed as a wall cooling of the container KVB, preferably as a jacket cooling or side wall cooling, in the upper half of the container KVB. In this embodiment the container KVB has the shape of a conical cylinder (cylindro-conus) having an opening angle () of the cone of approximately 60.

[0532] Within the fourth partial method TV4 according to the invention, the wort W to be clarified is introduced into the container KVB for receiving the wort WO through at least one inlet opening EKVB, after completion of the thermal treatment of the main batch of the wort WO and the addition of the portion PES of the enzyme-containing substrate ES to the thermally treated wort WO. Therein, the temperature of the wort WO is for example, approximately 74 C. Preferably, the wort WO is allowed to tangentially flow into the container KVB, in order to cause a rotational movement of the wort body in order to improve the solid matter separation. While allowing the wort WO in the container KVB for a predetermined, average retention time tS at least a partial volume of the wort which is in the area of the upper half of the container KVB is cooled to a temperature which is by at least 10 C. lower than that of the wort WO flowing into the container KVB, by means of jacket cooling. While doing this, at least a part of the solid matter of the wort WO sediments rapidly, and thus, it is possible to easily remove the same in this way from the liquid phase of the wort WO.

[0533] After a predetermined retention time tS or a predetermined separation rate of the solid matter has been achieved, the clarified wort WO is withdrawn via the at least one outlet opening AKVB of the container KVB. Here it is advantageous, if the container

[0534] KVB has a plurality of outlet openings AKVB which are arranged at different heights of the container KVB. Since the clarification of the wort in the clarification device KV proceeds from the top downwards by nature, that is, in the upper region of the container KVB the wort WO clarifies at the fastest, the withdrawal of the wort WO via the different outlet openings AKVB may advantageously be continued step by step in downward direction. By doing so, a further improved clarification effect and an acceleration of the clarifying step under consideration of the withdrawal from the clarification device KV is achieved. The withdrawn clarified wort WO is then supplied to the wort cooler as the second apparatus WK2 and is then cooled to pitching temperature as described above.

[0535] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the brewing plant OM according to the invention. The brewing plant OM and the method according to this embodiment are based on the same principle as the first embodiment, so that herein below only differences to the first embodiment as described above are discussed.

[0536] Thus, the brewing plant OM according to this embodiment, further comprises an isomerization apparatus IV for isomerizing of isomerizable hop components in an isomerization substrate IS, as is described above in an exemplary way in context with the second embodiment. Moreover, the brewing plant OM further comprises a clarification device KV for at least partially separating solid matter from the wort WO, as is described above in an exemplary way in context with the third embodiment.

[0537] In conclusion, as regards the device aspects, the brewing plant OM according to this embodiment combines the features and advantages of the combination of the lauter device LV, comprising at least the first lauter device LV1, or a plurality of such lauter devices: the second device V2, the isomerization device IV and the clarification device KV, respectively as described above.

[0538] Referring to the method, this embodiment combines the features and advantages of the combination of the first partial method TV1 for obtaining a wort WO from a mash MA, of the second partial method TV2 for treating the wort WO, of the third partial method TV3 for hopping of the wort WO or of a beverage produced thereof or a precursor thereof, and of the fourth partial method TV4 for at least partially clarifying the wort WO.

[0539] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is a method VO which links the following combinations of the partial methods according to the invention, respectively with the fifth partial method TV5:

[0540] the first partial method TV1 and the second partial method TV2;

[0541] the first partial method TV1 and the second partial method TV2 and the third partial method TV3;

[0542] the first partial method TV1 and the second partial method TV2 and the fourth partial method TV4; or

[0543] the first partial method TV1 and the second partial method TV2 and the third partial method TV3 and the fourth partial method TV4.

[0544] Therein, the wort WO having a content of solid matter F of less at least 300 mg/L and obtained in the first partial method TV1 is mixed with an additive Z obtaining a wort WO being enriched with the additive Z. This enriched wort WO is exposed to a thermal treatment, that this, keeping hot or boiling of the enriched wort WO as previously described, preferably to the conventional wort boiling. It is advantageous to at least partially remove the solid matter F contained in the enriched wort WO to a content of solid matter F of 100 mg/L or less, prior to the addition of a hop substrate IH or of the mixture IG which has been separately isomerized according to the third partial method TV3. Therein, the additive Z obviously removes also particles of the fine turbidity and the relevant amount, thereby the yield of the hopping carried out later is improved.

[0545] Adding of the hop substrate IH is carried out preferably 5 to 15 minutes prior to completion of the thermal treatment of the enriched wort WO. This period of time should be sufficient in order to ensure a sufficient isomerization of the hop substrate IH. Since the mixture IG which has been separately isomerized according to the third partial method TV3 is already pre-isomerized to a sufficient extent, alternatively, the mixture IG may be added after the completion of the thermal treatment of the wort WO, preferably after the hot trub separation.

[0546] Therein, the the enzyme-containing substrate ES according to the second partial method TV2 may be added to the wort WO or enriched wort WO.

[0547] Appendix

[0548] Measurement of the Particle Size Distribution

[0549] The analysis was conducted by means of the laser scattering sensor HELOS of the company Sympatec GmbH in combination with the automatic wet dispersing unit SUCELL. In combination, the sensor has a measurement range of 0.1 to 875 m. The selection of the lens R4 having a range of 0.5/1.8 m to 350 m is used for further limiting the measurement range. The sample was excited by means of a HeNe laser having a wavelength of =632.8 nm. The analysis of the measurement signals was carried out by means of the device's own software.

[0550] The chronological sequence of the particle measurement is presented herein below: [0551] 1. Introducing of 400 mL of deionized water into the dispersing unit. [0552] 2. Deaerating the dispersing unit for 10 seconds. [0553] 3. Pumping for 30 seconds. [0554] 4. Signal test (reference). [0555] 5. Adding of the sample by means of a measuring pipette (up to an optical concentration of approximately 15%). [0556] 6. Deaerating the dispersing unit for 10 seconds. [0557] 7. Pumping for 120 seconds for dispersing. [0558] 8. Measurement 1 (measurement time: 60 seconds). [0559] 9. Pumping for 60 seconds. [0560] 10. Measurement 2 (measurement time: 60 seconds). [0561] 11. Pumping for 60 seconds. [0562] 12. Measurement 3 (measurement time: 60 seconds). [0563] 13. Discharging and rinsing of the dispersing unit.